'I never had time to dream'
María Carrión Cantuarias | 'Other people have dreams about their future. I never had time to dream. For me, it was a matter of finding a way out of poverty.' These are the words of María Carrión Cantuarias. Her inspiring life story gained her a commendation at the presentation of the ECHO Awards.
María Carrión Cantuarias (29), master's student of Pedagogical Sciences, and originally from Peru, was given a commendation at the presentation of the ECHO Awards for talented ethnic minority students in higher education. She received this commendation as a result of her life story which shows that a person can escape from a cheerless existence by showing persistence and determination.
Just missed a distinction
Carrión Cantuarias came to Leiden - where her sister was already living - from Peru in 2003 in order to embark on the transition programme which was the step to the fast-track Bachelor's in Pedagogical Sciences. In Peru she had already completed an educational studies programme. She took a course in Dutch and translated the Dutch-language material into Spanish so she could understand it better. She already had a good command of English.
As Carrión Cantuarias gained a better command of Dutch, her marks also improved. During the difficult starting period, she only just missed the 8.5 average which was needed to conclude her bachelor's study with a Distinction. As well as studying, Carrión Cantuarias works 25 hours a week as a cleaner in order to fund her studies and her living expenses.
Peru is not one of the poorest countries in the world. Nonetheless, 45% of the population lives below the poverty level. |
'Although I have devoted much of my life to educational theory, and I am on the point of concluding a third study in this field,' she told the jury, 'I always say that I want to be the perfect example of the proposition that theories based on quantitative research have little or no bearing on individual cases. And then I am mainly talking about research relating to risk factors which stand in the way of cognitive development and an academic career. Because, as a child, I carried all these risk factors with me. Theoretically, an educational career was not an option for me.'
Stressful
'I am the youngest of seven children, brought up in a one-parent family, in difficult circumstances. Our father died in a car accident when I was one year old, and my mother suffered a number of problems. The family atmosphere was consequently very stressful. I look back on a childhood marked by negative experiences and illness.'
Education as a means
'My first five school years were spent at a poor public school in Lima, the capital of Peru. When I was six, I had a serious attack of bronchitis, which meant I missed half the school year. But I still managed to pass the exams. I learned how to read and write, and basic arithmetic, from my sisters and by studying my school books at home.
It was then that I started to regard school as a means of escaping from this poor existence. At the same time I realised that I didn't find learning so easy. It meant a lot of hard work. But I am very determined and strong-minded: I never give up. So I knew I would make it somehow.'
With distinction
'In subsequent years - at junior and secondary school - I represented my school at a number of maths and language competitions and I left several of these schools with a distinction. I also received a distinction for my Educational Studies programme at the University of Peru. Then I decided to further my development to the utmost. How far could I go? I learned English and applied to Leiden University, where I learned Dutch and, after the transition programme, completed the fast-track bachelor's programme within two years. I hope to obtain my master's diploma this year.'
Slums in Peru | High IQ no guarantee
'I have talked about my educational career to date to show how important it is for me to constantly extend my boundaries, and in an academic sense to go as far as I can. I have always gone for challenges, and have so far been successful in meeting all the challenges I've taken on. I do not accept that risk factors stand in the way of success, nor that knowledge of a language or a high IQ determine your succes. I wanted to escape from poverty and have used education as a bridge to help me escape.'
No dreams
'At the presentation of the ECHO Awards I noticed something that separated me from the other nominees. Namely that the other candidates had more dreams for their future than me. It may sound strange, but I never had time for dreams. For me it was not so much a case of getting somewhere, as getting away from somewhere, getting away from poverty. Now, I feel happy and relieved. But there is still not much time for dreams. There are not many certainties in my life.'
Unless she can find a job for which there are no suitable candidates within the European Union, Carrión Cantuarias will return to Peru, where a very uncertain future awaits her.
(3 April 2007/CH)
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